Security Development Lifecycle (SDL). Since 2004, all Microsoft products and services have been designed and built from the ground up using its Security Development Lifecycle - a comprehensive approach for writing more secure, reliable and privacy-enhanced code.

Assume Breach. Specialized teams of Microsoft security engineers use pioneering security practices and operate with an 'assume breach' mindset to identify potential vulnerabilities and proactively eliminate threats before they become risks to customers.

Incident Response. Microsoft operates a global 24x7 event and incident response team to help mitigate threats from attacks and malicious activity.

Security Controls and Capabilities

Azure delivers a trusted foundation on which customers can design, build and manage their own secure cloud applications and infrastructure.

24 hour monitored physical security. Datacenters are physically constructed, managed, and monitored to shelter data and services from unauthorized access as well as environmental threats.

Monitoring and logging. Security is monitored with the aid of centralized monitoring, correlation, and analysis systems that manage the large amount of information generated by devices within the environment and providing timely alerts. In addition, multiple levels of monitoring, logging, and reporting are available to provide visibility to customers.

Antivirus/Antimalware protection. Microsoft Antimalware is built-in to Cloud Services and can be enabled for Virtual Machines to help identify and remove viruses, spyware and other malicious software and provide real time protection. Customers can also run antimalware solutions from partners on their Virtual Machines.

Intrusion detection and DDoS. Intrusion detection and prevention systems, denial of service attack prevention, regular penetration testing, and forensic tools help identify and mitigate threats from both outside and inside of Azure.

Zero standing privileges. Access to customer data by Microsoft operations and support personnel is denied by default. When granted, access is carefully managed and logged. Data center access to the systems that store customer data is strictly controlled via lock box processes.

Azure Virtual Networks. Customers can choose to assign multiple deployments to an isolated Virtual Network and allow those deployments to communicate with each other through private IP addresses.

Encrypted communications. Built-in SSL and TLS cryptography enables customers to encrypt communications within and between deployments, from Azure to on-premises datacenters, and from Azure to administrators and users.

Private connection. Customers can use ExpressRoute to establish a private connection to Azure datacenters, keeping their traffic off the Internet.

Data encryption. Azure offers a wide range of encryption capabilities up to AES-256, giving customers the flexibility to implement the methods that best meets their needs.

Identity and access. Azure Active Directory enables customers to manage access to Azure, Office 365 and a world of other cloud apps. Multi-Factor Authentication and access monitoring offer enhanced security.

Penetration Testing

Microsoft conducts regular penetration testing to improve Azure security controls and processes. We understand that security assessment is also an important part of our customers' application development and deployment. Therefore, we have established a policy for customers to carry out authorized penetration testing on their applications hosted in Azure. Because such testing can be indistinguishable from a real attack, it is critical that customers conduct penetration testing only after obtaining approval in advance from Azure Customer Support. Penetration testing must be conducted in accordance with our terms and conditions. Requests for penetration testing should be submitted with a minimum of 7-day advanced notice.